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'They got absolutely slaughtered in the press and the word is they are going to get smashed'
By Peter Thompson
Iain Balshaw expects France to come out firing after being "slaughtered" for their capitulation against Wales but feels they could be in for a thrashing if England hit top gear at Twickenham.
Les Bleus held a commanding 16-0 lead in the opening game of the Six Nations at Stade de France last Friday, but capitulated in the second half to go down 24-19.
George North was gifted two tries as Jacques Brunel's side threw it away in Paris and they have been slated in the French press for such an almighty collapse.
Rampant England were outstanding in a 32-20 victory over 2018 Grand Slam winners Ireland in Dublin last Saturday and are strong favourites to gain revenge over France following a defeat in Paris last year.
Former England wing Balshaw is predicting a strong start from France, but does not envisage Eddie Jones' men slipping up on Sunday.
The World Cup winner, who lives in France, told Omnisport: "If France play like they did in the first half against Wales, it's going to be a tough match but if they don't and England carry on where they left off, with 30 minutes to go England could really run away with it.
"France will know they will have to be on their mettle because England made Ireland look average, which is a fantastic compliment against a team that have won the Grand Slam last year and beaten New Zealand twice."
Balshaw was baffled by the manner in which France let a win slip through their fingers against Warren Gatland's men.
He added: "The game was done and dusted, they gifted Wales two tries. They got absolutely slaughtered in the press and the word is [in France] they are going to get smashed, but I think they will come out strongly. I think it would have been a kick up the backside.
"It's very hard to pinpoint it [why France fell apart against Wales]. You have to wonder what was said at half-time. It's hard to understand. Did they take their foot off the gas? Was there some complacency? Yes, there probably was.
"When you are that far ahead at half-time you can get complacent. They did, but the best teams don't, they put you to the sword and beat you by 40.
"France have some exceptional players, but we won't be complacent and I expect us to win."
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Latest Comments
It is if he thinks he’s got hold of the ball and there is at least one other player between him and the ball carrier, which is why he has to reach around and over their heads. Not a deliberate action for me.
Go to commentsI understand, but England 30 years ago were a set piece focused kick heavy team not big on using backs.
Same as now.
South African sides from any period will have a big bunch of forwards smashing it up and a first five booting everything in their own half.
NZ until recently rarely if ever scrummed for penalties; the scrum is to attack from, broken play, not structured is what we’re after.
Same as now.
These are ways of playing very ingrained into the culture.
If you were in an English club team and were off to Fiji for a game against a club team you’d never heard of and had no footage of, how would you prepare?
For a forward dominated grind or would you assume they will throw the ball about because they are Fijian?
A Fiji way. An English way.
An Australian way depends on who you’ve scraped together that hasn’t been picked off by AFL or NRL, and that changes from generation to generation a lot of the time.
Actually, maybe that is their style. In fact, yes they have a style.
Nevermind. Fuggit I’ve typed it all out now.
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